Each of the partners will sponsor up to three of their interns for the program, which kicks off today (6/20) with a two-day orientation that includes industry speakers, studio and technology-based company tours and visits to the Academy’s Film Archive and Margaret Herrick Library.

This summer,118 students (including 25 interns placed within the Academy) from across the United States and abroad will participate in Academy Gold. The seven-week program, which concludes on August 10, offers participants networking opportunities with Academy members and industry professionals, screenings, studio tours and educational workshops.

The Production Track program, added to Academy Gold last year to offer technical workshops to students interested in cinematography, production design and film editing, will also include costume design this summer. Participants include students from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Evolve Entertainment Fund, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, West Los Angeles College, Los Angeles Film School, Exceptional Minds and the Ruderman Family Foundation, among others. These students will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience shooting scenes on a soundstage and spend one week on the set of an active production shadowing various departments.

“Thanks to the support of our industry partners, who share the Academy’s tireless commitment to talent development and inclusion, the Gold program and its Production Track continue to grow in size and scope,” said Academy governor Nancy Utley, Education Committee chair and chairman of Fox Searchlight Pictures. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to work alongside my fellow members as a mentor to these enthusiastic and determined young people. Our goal, and the Academy’s, is to create meaningful opportunities for new voices to emerge and be heard.”

Highlights from this summer’s Gold programs include:

Demystifying the Unions and Guilds
Representatives from various unions and guilds explain their role in working with filmmakers.

Inside the Executive Suite – Creative Development and Distribution
Studio executives discuss their roles and responsibilities in getting a film made and distributed.

Pre-Production and Production Overview
Understanding a script from multiple creative perspectives: writing, directing, casting, cinematography, costume and production design.

Post-Production Overview
The relationships between studio executives, producers, directors and the creative team during post-production.

The Dream Team
Defining the roles of the agent, manager, publicist and entertainment attorney.

Special Effects and VFX
Exploring the increasing role of visual effects and digital imagery in motion pictures.

Film Financing
Filmmakers, producers, distributors, financiers and executives discuss what it takes to get your film made.

Upon completion of the program, all Gold interns will be paired with Academy members for an eight-month mentorship.

Academy Gold affords top film entertainment, technology, production services and digital media companies an opportunity to recruit and educate a nationwide pool of diverse talent. Well over half of past Academy Gold interns have moved into positions within the industry.

Academy Gold is supported in part by a grant from the Swarovski Foundation. The Academy Gold Production Track is made possible in part by founding support from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation. Additional support is provided by The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., Dwight Stuart Youth Fund, Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Charitable Foundation, Ruderman Family Foundation, Leon Silverman, and Charles de Limur.